Module manager: Ivan Solvas Martinez
Email: i.solvasmartinez@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
See Programme Entry Requirements
This module is not approved as an Elective
This online module offers a comprehensive study of human andrology, encompassing diverse subjects such as men's health, male genetics, and subfertility. The goal is to provide you with an in-depth understanding of male reproduction. The curriculum includes topics such as semen analysis, surgical sperm retrieval, and advancements in sperm selection methods, equipping you with the knowledge of laboratory processes involved in sperm analysis and processing.
Objectives:
1. Understanding principles of Human Andrology: You will explore the theoretical principles and practices that govern andrology.
2. Exploration of the practice of Andrology: The module will prepare you to understand various diagnostic techniques for assessing a semen sample against WHO normal parameters, interpreting results, counselling patients and new methods in the field.
3. Description of Male Infertility: The course will enable you to understand the causes of male infertility, including genetic, congenital, infectious, or environmental factors.
Teaching Methods and Learning Activities
Teaching: You will access the online learning material for this module in addition to other university resources using Minerva which is the University’s portal and virtual learning environment. This module will be delivered via a combination of online module materials that you will work through, including interactive learning material, online media, self-test questions and other forms of interactive online content relevant to the module learning objectives. Your learning journey on this module is supported by the module manager in addition to other module tutors with whom you will interact with during a series of synchronous online sessions. You will also engage with asynchronous formative learning tasks within the module material that can be performed at a time that suits you.
How It Achieves the Objective: The online resources offer multiple avenues for in-depth explanation and demonstration and will provide a foundational understanding of key concepts and techniques for the module objectives, allowing you to study in an engaging way. Students are expected to engage in self-directed learning by utilising online materials to build their knowledge.
Synchronous online sessions offer a time for real-time interactions with the module tutors and also with your fellow students. These sessions are used to consolidate learning, answer questions, identify matters for immediate clarification or discuss specific points in detail, reinforcing your learning with activity-based approaches.
Asynchronous tasks drive engagement via formative tasks that can be performed at a time that is suitable for you.
During self-directed independent study time you will engage in wider reading in preparation for summative assessments (OSCEs).
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE MODULE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:
1. Andrology and Semen Analysis: Critically evaluate standard procedures for semen analysis and processing, interpret results to assess male fertility, and develop patient counselling strategies based on clinical findings.
2. Sperm Selection Methods: Summarise and critically assess the criteria for optimal sperm selection, incorporating the latest advancements in selection techniques to improve clinical outcomes.
3. Surgical Sperm Retrieval: Compare and evaluate surgical sperm retrieval techniques, considering procedural details, technical challenges, success rates, complications, and patient outcomes.
4. Men’s Health and Genetics of Male Infertility: Analyse the influence of lifestyle, environmental, and occupational factors on male fertility and critically review genetic causes of male infertility to support accurate diagnosis and treatment strategies.
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE MODULE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:
1. Academic Skills: Critically analyse the principles and applications of clinical andrology in reproductive biology, addressing key research questions in male infertility and integrating research findings into academic assessments.
2. Technical Skills: Demonstrate a theoretical understanding of clinical andrology techniques, including semen analysis, advanced sperm selection methods, and surgical sperm retrieval, with an emphasis on their practical relevance.
3. Enterprise Skills: Evaluate ethical and legal frameworks to make informed and responsible decisions in the diagnosis and management of male infertility.
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices in clinical andrology, focusing on semen analysis, sperm selection techniques, and surgical sperm retrieval. You will explore the clinical implications of male infertility, including the genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that influence reproductive health.
Teaching is delivered online and via resources available via Minerva. You will develop a deep understanding of diagnostic techniques, their application, and ethical considerations in the management of male infertility. The module also emphasises patient counselling strategies, equipping you with the skills to effectively communicate clinical findings.
Formative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (FOSCE), provide continuous feedback and scaffold your learning toward the summative OSCE assessment. These assessments ensure a thorough understanding of the module content, enabling you to evaluate and understand clinical andrology techniques in academic and professional settings.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-line Learning | 10 | 3.5 | 35 |
| Drop-in Session | 2 | 1.5 | 3 |
| Seminar | 2 | 1.5 | 3 |
| Independent online learning hours | 59 | ||
| Private study hours | 50 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 41 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Formative Feedback Opportunities
A variety of formative feedback methods will be used to support your learning throughout the module providing you with continuous insights into your progress and helping to identify any areas for improvement. Each student is assigned an academic personal tutor, who in conjunction with the module manager will review progress on completed tasks in the online module material, the synchronous tasks, asynchronous tasks in order to identify cases where additional support is required.
1. Formative tasks in online module material: Formative assessment is included on the module via in-built questions, such as short answer questions (SAQs) or multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that are built into the online module material. These are a way of assessing your progress and development on the module. Formative MCQs and SAQs and other question types support the development of your understanding of the wider module content and are used for scaffolding your development towards the summative assessments, the Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs), by driving learning across the breadth of the module.
2. Formative tasks and feedback in asynchronous activities: These include interaction with Minerva tools such as asynchronous discussion board tasks, debates, blogs, and forms of questioning and quizzes, which will be used to drive learning in specific areas of the module and to drive engagement with the online learning material. During these asynchronous tasks, your contributions will be reviewed by module tutors who will provide comments, ideas and feedback to help drive learning. Your module tutors will use these asynchronous tasks to assess your comprehension, identify learning needs, and track academic progress during the progression of the module. Collectively, these tasks provide formative support and development towards the summative OSCEs.
3. Formative tasks and feedback in synchronous (live, online) sessions: Formative assessment and feedback is also included during synchronous online live sessions to cover the subjects within the module objectives. These sessions will be delivered via real-time communication software applications. In these tutor-led sessions, you will analyse and discuss various scenarios and questions related to the module content, and undertake formative tasks, providing an opportunity to assess and deepen your understanding via structured online discussions. Students will be encouraged to raise questions and participate in interactive discussions on the module content. Your contributions to online discussions will be noted for the purpose of encouraging regular engagement with the module material. These sessions provide formative support by consolidating academic skills in preparation for the summative online OSCEs.
4. Formative OSCE (FOSCE) training: An online Formative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (FOSCE) will assist you in preparation for the summative online OSCE for this module. This formative training session allows you to experience exposure to the online OSCE assessment format and to observe the typical nature of the module material within that assessment format. These sessions and provide a driver for you to revise, practice and refine your knowledge of module content and skills in preparation for the online summative OSCEs.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) | 0.0 Hrs 20 Mins | 100 |
| Mock OSCE | 0.0 Hrs 20 Mins | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100 | |
A resit online OSCE will be offered for first attempt fails. For passes at the second attempt, the module mark will be capped at 50%.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 28/03/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team